There are many foods that have crept into the human diet in recent times (post-agriculture period) that contain what are termed ‘anti-nutrients’.

In essence, an anti-nutrient is a compound naturally found in certain plants, most often the seed portion, that enable the plant to be resistant to predators (microbes, fungi, bugs, birds, etc.). The most common anti-nutrients are gliadin and glutenin which are found in wheat, saponins which are found in potatoes (along with harmful glykoalkaloids), and lectins which are found in legumes (legumes contain saponins also). Legumes include peanuts, beans, peas, lentils, alfalfa, carob, and soybeans.